Smart Hoses Simplify Unmanned Aircraft Refueling

February 1, 2013

Icon Aerospace supplies refueling hoses to Tier-1 suppliers and air forces across the globe. The IconIC™ hose system secures power with telemetry cables and fiber-optics for data transfer. The technology provides a range of key control and communication functions to take place between a tanker and receiver aircraft while the receiver aircraft undergoes mid-air refueling.

The new system enables precise, remote positional control of the refueling hose, particularly appropriate as the use of unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (AUAVs) continues to grow. The integration of the data transfer capability allows for diagnostics and reprogramming. An embedded termination collar connects into a “clamshell” user-defined interface, switchable in flight, into which a variety of functions can be integrated depending on user requirements.